From one photography collector to another: a venue for thoughtful discussion of vintage and contemporary photography via reviews of recent museum exhibitions, gallery shows, photography auctions, photo books, art fairs and other items of interest to photography collectors large and small.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Auction Results: Saturday @Phillips, New York, April 25, 2009

While the idea behind the Saturday @Phillips sales is to target a set of collectors different than those who frequent the specialist sales (typically newer/younger collectors at lower prices), the photographs offered in the midst of the other material in this particular sale performed almost exactly in line with the general trends we are seeing in the rest of secondary market for photography: a forty percent buy in rate, total proceeds below the total low estimate, and some softness as prices move into the Mid range and higher.

80.00% of the lots that sold had proceeds in or above the estimate range (with 28.00% above). There were three surprises (defined as having proceeds of at least double the high estimate) amongst the photography in this sale: lot 41, Catherine Opie, Mike and Sky, 1993 at $5625; lot 257, Vanessa Beecroft, Five works: Untitled, 1999 at $4750; and lot 266, Barney Kulok, Pantone 1788 (Church Door), 2006 at $1625.